Words: Callum Dick
Images: Ray Gardner

A wasteful Sunshine Coast FC Women have escaped with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Redlands United Women at a chilly Cleveland Showgrounds

Tegan Buhmann struck the decisive goal on the half-hour, after a mix-up in the Redlands defence gifted the striker the easiest of finishes.

Missing first-choice striker Samara Christmas, the visitors dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances -  Redlands ‘keeper Samantha Vanderstam proving resolute between the sticks for the home side.

The result sees Fire move ahead of Western Pride Women to seventh, albeit with the Ipswich club still holding game in-hand.

Redlands remain anchored to the bottom of the table and without a point in their maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign.

Key Moments

15’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirsty Hayward turns on a dime at the top of the box and fires into the right-hand goal post

16’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Hayward wastes another opportunity shortly after; played into an acre of space but only managing a shot across the face of goal

27’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Ivana Mudnic tests Katie Offer in the Sunshine Coast goal with a left-footed strike from 15 yards

32’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – A mix-up between Samantha Vanderstam and her defender allows Tegan Buhmann to waltz onto the loose ball and fire into the back of the net from close-range

40’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Buhmann dances between defenders but let’s herself down with the shot, rolling a weak attempt at the feet of Vanderstam

45’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Kirra Guy pushes a shot across goal and the whistle blows for half time straight after

58’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Buhmann’s headed effort is smothered on the line by the Redlands defence.

62’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Hayward finds space behind the defence, but doesn’t realise the time she has and shoots hurriedly wide of the mark

65’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Tayla Gesch shoots from distance and skims the top of the crossbar.

What They Said

“Definitely should have scored a few more, didn’t take the chances – didn’t really create that many clear-cut ones – but credit to Redlands they defended really well. I thought we were good enough to win the game by three or four goals tonight, but one-nil and three points is all that matters.” - Thomas White, Sunshine Coast Fire FC Women coach

“We’re getting stronger and stronger every week. For the first 15 minutes we were actually camped in their half – which is the first time that’s happened this season. For the first time in a very long time, we’ve had two weeks in a row where virtually the same team has walked out. Very proud of the effort from our girls tonight.”  - John Blanco, Redlands United FC Women coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s 2016 – Round 8 (rescheduled)

Wednesday, July 27
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Sunshine Coast FC Women – 1 (Tegan BUHMANN 31’)
Redlands United FC Women – 0

Match Centre - http://bit.ly/2a9A7Ja